Becoming a parent should really come with a manual! In this article, I’ve tried to put together some book ideas to help you with this. They aren’t just books about how to be a good dad but are also books to help you in other practical ways too, like how to build a side hustle and how to manage your work/life balance.
To kick off our list of the best books for dads, let’s take a look at this hilarious guide written by Doug Moe.
#1 – Man vs. Child. One Dad’s Guide to the Weirdness of Parenting.
Written by: Doug Moe
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It really never seems fair that Moms have hundreds of books to choose from when it comes to the art of being a parent. In Man vs. Child, Doug Moe has written a brilliantly funny personal take on a good parenting guide. Aimed specifically at dad’s he tackles important questions in a humorous but also educational way.
Learn all you need about how to cope with new-borns, right through to the dreaded adolescents.
The book contains quizzes, stories and practical information and includes chapters with great titles such as:
Man vs. Newborn: Keeping This Weird Thing Alive Awhile
Man vs. Toddler: Why Won’t your Kid Just be Cool?
A mixture of great humour combined with plenty of heartfelt advice. It is the perfect survival guide for any dad and one you’ll actually enjoy reading!
#2 – Be Prepared – A Practical Handbook for New Dad’s
Written by: Gary Greenberg
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If you’re about to become a dad or recently did so, this handbook is for you! It covers the first five years of your child’s life, arming you with practical, if sometimes rather unusual tips on how to be a dad and cope with any situation (think MacGyver here).
There are detailed instructions and diagrams as well as humorous stories and helpful hints.
It’s written in a funny easy to read style that makes you want to read more and is full of advice you just won’t get anywhere else.
#3 – Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects: From Stilts and Super-Hero Capes to Tinker Boxes and Seesaws
Written by: Mike Adamick
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Every dad deserves to be their kids superhero, with this book you can be! Chock a block full of the most awesome projects that will delight your child.
Know how to make homemade playdoh? With this book you will! Spark your creative juices and get making stuff your kids will love. No need for expensive materials, the projects use stuff you’ll find lying around at home or that you can get cheaply from any hardware store.
#4 – Side Hustle Millionaire – How to Build a Side Business that Created Financial Freedom
Written by: Tony Whatley
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Being a parent can be a real drain on your finances! One solution is to get yourself a worthwhile side hustle that can bag you some extra cash. With the advice given in this book, you may even be able to drop your 9 to 5 altogether and turn your passion into your ideal career.
The author of Side Hustle Millionaire, Tony Whatley has made millions using the techniques he outlines in this book. He teaches you his methods, so you can have the opportunity to do the same. And hey, even if you only made a few extra hundred bucks a month, it all helps right? Areas covered include, business planning, mindset strength, business idea evaluation, naming and branding your business, marketing strategy and lots more.
This book will guide you through essential elements to help make your side hustle business work and have the best chance of being profitable.
#5 – Principles: Life and Work
Written by: Ray Dalio
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In this New York Times No.1 Bestseller, you’ll learn about one of the worlds most successful entrepreneurs, Ray Dalio. Dalio talks about the investment firm he founded in 1975 called Bridgewater Associates. This was done, not as you might imagine in a swanky New York office space, but in his small two-bedroom apartment in New York City. The rest, as some might say, is history. Bridgewater went on to be the most successful hedge fund of all time and the fifth most important company in the US.
Dalio shares the unique set of principles he used that made Bridgewater so successful. He believes these principles can be applied to anything you want to achieve in life.
#6 – The Total Money Makeover. A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Written by: Dave Ramsey
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Dave Ramsey is described as America’s favorite financial coach. His book can help you streamline, tone and transform your finances, so your money is in great shape. Learn how to set a budget, create good money-making habits and take back control of your finances.
This is a must have book to help you plan the best possible financial future for your family.
#7 – When Work and Family Collide: Keeping Your Job from Cheating Your Family
Written by: Andy Stanley
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It can be really tough to juggle work with your family life. Before you know it, work takes over and you become all work and no play, which just isn’t good for family happiness and harmony.
Don’t let work cheat you out of time with your family, take control and ensure you know how to balance the two.
Learn how to establish boundaries and set your most valued priorities. Stop saying you family is your main priority and make them your main priority. Your family will thank you when you start to reap the rewards.
Conclusion
Warning, using these books could have a seriously good impact on your life as a dad and turn you into a superhero in the eyes of your children and partner.
Being serious, I love books, I love that they teach me so many great things and that I can refer back to them whenever I need reminding about stuff. I love that they can help me become a better Dad to my son, and I hope that they will help you too.
Happy reading!
Chris
Dear Chris,
My wife and I are expecting a baby soon and your post means a lot to me. Thanks a lot for the helpful post.
I must say I found your post highly uplifting and educational. I love to read books and the recommendations are amazing. Often we think we know everything and whatever we know is learned from someone so learning is vital. When we stop learning we stop living.
Thanks for giving a glance on each book which will help in our purchase decision. My pick is…
Be Prepared – A Practical Handbook for New Dad’s & Principles: Life and Work.
Best wishes to you, your family and your success,
Warm Regards
Paul
Hi Paul and thanks for your lovely comment 🙂 Great pick! You’ll love it!!! I wish you and your family all the best. Enjoy being a dad: It’s AWESOME!!! 🙂
chris
Hi Chris,
Speaking as a mum of grown up sons, I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that our sons were influenced in so many ways by their Dad. Things have changed so much for new parents that it is good to have some sources of inspiration and guidance in book form.
I totally agree that most books are aimed at mothers and so I think it’s a great idea for some specific books for fathers as a change!
Man Vs Child looks very entertaining and would make a great gift for a new father. Some of the other books in your list look like they would be of interest to anyone especially the Dave Ramsey one on finances. My favourite is Dad’s Book of Awesome projects; I know lots of parents who would find that really useful and great fun.
Hi Christine! Thank you so much for your kind comment. Glad to hear that you enjoyed reading my article and that you liked my recommendations. Tell your friends about it 🙂 Seriously: Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!
Much love,
chris
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing these books. I have only recently become very interested in books and love to hear about books that I haven’t heard of before and your list is definitely all news to me. Interestingly I am currently on the look out for another sidehustle and I am working on the “becoming a father” part.
The first book about parenting resonates most with me and the sidehustle book will probably be my second selection. Now I just need to learn speed reading 🙂 Thanks for the advice, Hendrik.
Hey Hendrik! Thank you so much for your kind comment and feedback. Since you mentioned speed reading: Make sure to check out this book, that I should probably add to the list! Thanks for the hint 🙂
And all the best with the “becoming a father”-part of your journey. It’s gonna be awesome. Here’s to us dads (and dads to be) 🙂
Cheers,
chris
It is no easy task being a father. Like you said there are tons of books on the subject of mothers but not really much on fathers. I really have no idea why that is or is it maybe because fathers don’t spend as much time at home as mothers or are not as close to the kids as mothers? Don’t really know. Anyway, it would be really good to get my hands on one of these books.
I think I am going to like the first book which is man vs child. It does seem like a book that would pass across its message in a humorous way. Seems like a fun read.
Hey Jay, Yeah, that’s true. The same is true for websites, and that’s of the reasons why I started this blog – Because we dads deserve it (as well), right? 🙂
Cheers and much love,
chris
thanks for recommending me these books. I can not decide which one to pick up. I would love to read them all. I do not jave children, but I know I will in a few years. It is better to be prepared for that. I want to be a good father, a role model. I want me children to feel happy having me as a father.
Thanks again.
I enjoyed reading this.
In an age where father’s are absent, books on Parenting for Dads that ARE present are always in demaind. I really like your set of Amazon books. Boys need role models to set them on the right path rather than their peers.
Men also need to understand how to be fatherly, and understanding of their sons. It is possible to be firm and gentle. Also your books on side hustles is a great idea. Children cost an arm and 1 leg. Very necessary to always be prepared if they break something by accident. Clothes, outing and sports cost a packet…
I just might check out some of the books you recommend.
All the best,
Stella
These books are a really great idea, thanks for showing us a few of the best ones.
I think it is important for Dads to know a little bit about parenting because it seems they don’t have that same ‘motherly instinct’ that mum’s do.
Also, for the book to be fun and enjoyable to read, especially like ‘man vs child’ I don’t see where you can go wrong!
What a great list of books. As a new dad for only 2 years, I really appreciate all the things I should read about.I have started with Stephen Bidulph’s Raising Girls. But you’ve expanded my horizons to the things I should read about.
#3 – Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects: From Stilts and Super-Hero Capes to Tinker Boxes and Seesaws
#7 – When Work and Family Collide: Keeping Your Job from Cheating Your Family
These 2 are my higher priorities. Thank you so much and I shall check them out.